Former Mayor Sheila Dixon and City Councilman Carl Stokes released their education plans on Wednesday as each seek to make their case for being Baltimore's next mayor.Download the WBAL app.Dixon calls for full mayoral control of city schools, expanding after-school programs and child care services, and increasing access to mental health and other support services in schools.“As a mother and former teacher, I have high standards for my children, for our schools, and for our educators, parents and school administrators,” Dixon said in a statement. “I know how hard parents across our city work to attain a good education for their children. As mayor my job is to be the chief advocate for Baltimore City’s children and the education that will prepare them for productive adulthood.”Read: Sheila Dixon education planStokes said poor black children are not being given an opportunity to receive a decent education and it shows in their testing levels and dropout rates.“Eighty-nine percent of our fourth and eighth graders are below proficiency in both math and reading,” Stokes said in a statement. “Am I the only one who believes this is unacceptable? We are failing our children, our future.”More: Voters Guide, see where the candidates stand on the issuesAmong Stokes' recommendations are developing creative strategies for teacher recruitment and retention, college and career readiness, extended-day and out-of-school-time programming, wrap-around services, and partnerships.Stokes is also calling for systemwide accountability, including audits, a streamlined administration, improved and upgraded facilities and systemwide standards for discipline.Read: Carl Stokes education planThe primary election is set for April 26.

BALTIMORE —

Former Mayor Sheila Dixon and City Councilman Carl Stokes released their education plans on Wednesday as each seek to make their case for being Baltimore's next mayor.

Dixon calls for full mayoral control of city schools, expanding after-school programs and child care services, and increasing access to mental health and other support services in schools.

“As a mother and former teacher, I have high standards for my children, for our schools, and for our educators, parents and school administrators,” Dixon said in a statement. “I know how hard parents across our city work to attain a good education for their children. As mayor my job is to be the chief advocate for Baltimore City’s children and the education that will prepare them for productive adulthood.”

Stokes said poor black children are not being given an opportunity to receive a decent education and it shows in their testing levels and dropout rates.

“Eighty-nine percent of our fourth and eighth graders are below proficiency in both math and reading,” Stokes said in a statement. “Am I the only one who believes this is unacceptable? We are failing our children, our future.”

Among Stokes' recommendations are developing creative strategies for teacher recruitment and retention, college and career readiness, extended-day and out-of-school-time programming, wrap-around services, and partnerships.

Stokes is also calling for systemwide accountability, including audits, a streamlined administration, improved and upgraded facilities and systemwide standards for discipline.